The Origins of the Potteries' Victoria Theatre

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The book relates the story of the origins of the Potteries’ Victoria Theatre. It reveals a fascinating tale that begins with Newcastle Borough Council’s dream of establishing a Civic Theatre after the Second World war.

The dream failed to be realised but was rekindled for while by the proposed partnership between the Council and Stephen Joseph’s newly established Studio Theatre Company based in Scarborough.

The failure of the joint project led Joseph and Peter Cheeseman to convert the original Victoria cinema in Hartshill into the first permanent theatre in the round.

The Vic’s early years saw a ‘row’ between the two men which led to the withdrawal of Joseph’s company and the creation of the Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffs Theatre Trust Company. Cheeseman wad its first Artistic Director.

The Vic developed not only its musical documentaries depicting local events in its history but also a tradition of adapting Arnold Bennett novels and stories.

Dorothy Cheston Bennett, the author’s common-law wife became involved in the early Bennett adaptations. Her relationship with Peter and Cheeseman added to the drama of the story.